LeBron James praised Tristan Thompson on Monday and said he believes the Cleveland Cavaliers should keep the big man long-term.

"Tristan should probably be a Cavalier for his whole career," James said. "There's no reason why he shouldn't.

"This guy is 24 years old. He's played in 340-plus straight games, and he's gotten better every single season. It's almost like what more can you ask out of a guy, even though we ask for more out of him."

Thompson, who shares an agent with James, has averaged 8.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the playoffs.

"I appreciate the compliment, if that's a compliment, from LeBron," Thompson said. "I'm just here to work, to just come into work and do what the team asks of me -- whether it's on the court, off the court, in the community -- and just be a professional."